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Electoral College – Problems and Reforms

Problem #1-Popular vote winner can lose the election

Reform? Abolish EC and have a nationwide election to elect the President (popular vote)

Blue wins fewer (but larger) states by a large margin

Red wins more (but smaller) states by a small margin

Problem #2 -States with small populations are overrepresented• “weight” of Wyoming voter = .0000060

• “weight” of California voter =.0000015

Reform? EVs given to each state based entirely on population • For example, 1 EV for every 500,000 people

• Or, simply don’t give any for the Senate

• Or could award EV’s based on who wins in each Congressional House district

Problem #3 -Winner-Take-All method ignores losing voters

Reform? EV’s awarded according to the proportions of the popular vote in each state

Problem #4 – “Faithless electors”

Reform? – Require all electors to vote for the popular vote winner in their state

Hands = visit by McCain or Obama

Dollar = $1 million spent on TV commercials

**Notice the states that were visited the most, and had the most money spent for TV time

• Another issue would be that candidates can avoid “safe” states that they “know” they will win or lose..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/track-presidential-campaign-ads-2012/

Why do we have the EC?

So we have just seen how the EC can leave some voters “out in the cold”…

At this point, it’s important to understand WHY we have the EC at all, and why we haven’t gotten rid of it…

Quotes from the Framers about a popular election of the president

"A popular election in this case is radically vicious. The ignorance of the people would put it in the power of some one set of men dispersed through the Union, and acting in concert, to delude them into any appointment." -- Delegate Gerry, July 25, 1787

"The extent of the country renders it impossible, that the people can have the requisite capacity to judge of the respective pretensions of the candidates." -- Delegate Mason, July 17, 1787

"The people are uninformed, and would be misled by a few designing men." -- Delegate Gerry, July 19, 1787

SO, why do we have the Electoral College?

The Electoral CollegeKnowledge of the candidates

• Information, Communication, Transportation were not as advanced, giving voters less ability to know the character of the candidates

• Might lead to candidates from different regions consistently fighting in the House for the presidency

Education

• People not as well-educated on a widespread level

Federalism

• Gives states a role in choosing the president

Compromise

• Between those who wanted a direct popular election and those who wanted Congress or state legislatures to choose the president

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Do YOU support reforming the Electoral College? If so, how? If not, why not?